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Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis

The harlequin ladybird was introduced to North America in 1988, where it is now the most widespread ladybird species on the continent. It has already invaded much of northwestern Europe, and arrived in Britain in summer 2004.

There are 46 species of ladybird (Coccinellidae) resident in Britain, and the recent arrival of the harlequin ladybird has the potential to jeopardise many of these. The Harlequin Ladybird Survey will monitor its spread across Britain and assess its impact on native ladybirds.

Conservation status

The harlequin ladybird was first recorded in Norfolk in 2004. Since then it has rapidly increased in number and distribution.

Details

Did you know?

Harlequin ladybirds are the most invasive ladybird species on earth. Female harlequin ladybirds can begin to lay eggs five days after becoming an adult and a single female can lay over a thousand eggs in her lifetime.

How to recognise

Recognising the harlequin ladybird can be difficult because of the huge variation in its colour ranging from red, yellow, pale orange, to black. Their spots are orange, red or black and sometimes merge to form a grid pattern. The ladybirds themselves are large – usually 7–8 mm in length – but they can be as small as 5mm (if it’s less than 5mm then it is definitely not a harlequin). They generally have reddish-brown legs (similar sized native ladybirds have black legs).

Where to see

The harlequin has spread across the whole of Norfolk and can be seen practically anywhere including gardens, graveyards and even in the centre of Norwich. They are often found where there are deciduous trees, such as limes, sycamores and maples, and can also be found on low growing plants such as nettles. Harlequins can often be found in and around houses, sheds and garages in autumn and winter when hibernating.

When to see

Harlequin ladybirds are most active from April to November, but are probably most noticeable in autumn when they swarm in preparation for finding a suitable place to hibernate. It is not uncommon to find them in groups of a hundred or more individuals, particularly in autumn.

Harlequin ladybirds are an invasive non-native species of ladybird. They are an aggressive predator with a huge appetite and consequently could threaten our native species of ladybirds by out-competing them for food. They also feed on the larvae of our native ladybirds, as well as on butterfly and moth eggs. At the moment it is not known what effect harlequin ladybirds will have on our native wildlife.

Related reserves

Related questions & advice

What should I do if I find a harlequin ladybird?

If you think you’ve found a harlequin ladybird then please send a record of your sighting to the Harlequin Ladybird Survey. Details of how to do this, and a form to download, can be found on their website at http://www.harlequin-survey.org/recording.htm.

The important information you need to send them should include your name and address, what you found (adult, larvae, pupae etc), where you found it (a grid reference and location is best but a postcode will also do), the date when you found it, how many you found (1, 2–5, 6–10, more than 10) and what they were doing – e.g. nothing, walking, laying eggs, mating, eating etc. A photograph would be useful as well (but not essential) and digital photos can be submitted on-line. The harlequin is a non-native species which has become a pest in the UK, causing a decline in some of our native ladybird species as it out-competes its smaller rivals for food, and preys on their larvae. Since its arrival in Britain in 2004, it has spread rapidly across the southeast and is gradually moving north and west. Monitoring its spread across the country is essential.

What do harlequin ladybirds look like?

Harlequin ladybirds can be difficult to identify as they are highly variable in colour and ‘spottiness’. They range from orange or red with black spots to black with red or orange spots. They also have various white makings on their head and the bit behind their eyes (the pronotum). The number of spots is also highly variable.

While many of our native ladybirds can also vary in colour and number of spots – especially the two- and ten-spot ladybirds, harlequin ladybirds are larger than most of them (>5.5mm). The exceptions to this are the seven-spot, scarce seven-spot and eyed ladybirds which are a similar but they have black legs instead of reddish-brown like the harlequin. The harlequin is a non-native species which has become a pest in the UK, causing a decline in some of our native ladybird species as it out-competes its smaller rivals for food, and preys on their larvae. A good website to visit iswww.harlequin-survey.org .

How do I find out what invertebrates are using a chosen area?

There are a variety of basic techniques that you can use when surveying invertebrates in areas such as a garden, parish or wild space. All are effective and can be used to target groups of creatures living in specific habitats such as ponds, leaf litter, compost heaps and nettle beds.